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Spy Shots Show 2019 Blazer Will Be Similar To GMC Acadia

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We’ve already told you what we expect from the future Chevy Blazer. And recently, we’ve come across a rather unique opportunity to compare Blazer spy shots to the second-generation GMC Acadia, which was introduced for the 2017 model year. The results confirm what we’ve heard and suspected all along: the 2019 Blazer will be derived from the second-gen Acadia, but its styling will differ greatly.

A side-by-side comparison of the the Blazer prototype and the second-gen Acadia, performed exclusively by GM Authority, reveals similar if not identical footprints – all but confirming that the Blazer will utilize the short wheelbase variant of the C1 platform introduced by the Acadia and Cadillac XT5. But there are specific and notable differences that we can see in the spy photos, despite the Blazer’s heavy camo. Follow along on our journey of compare-and-contrast.

1. Longer Front Overhang

Though it could simply be our eyes or the camo deceiving us, the Blazer appears to have a longer front overhang when compared to the Acadia. A longer front overhang is quite a strange differentiator, given that GM has lately been on a push to minimize overhangs in vehicles based on front-drive/transverse-powertrain architectures.

2. Rounded Wheel Wells

The spy shots clearly show the Blazer wearing rounded wheel wells, as opposed to the Acadia’s wells that are more beveled (squared off). The styling differences follow those of the all-new 2019 Silverado and 2019 Sierra: the former features totally round wells, while the latter feature more squared off units, albeit not entirely squared off. From there, the proportions of the hood and the angle of the A-pillar on the Blazer look identical to those of the Acadia.

3. Pedestal-Mounted Wing Mirrors

The Blazer is clearly wearing pedestal-style outside mirrors attached to the sheetmetal of the front door, while the Acadia makes use of more traditional mirrors mounted at the the forward-most point of the DLO (Day-Light Opening). The former is a newer design direction being adopted across the industry for its aerodynamic qualities.

4. Angular Styling

Here’s where things get a little more exciting: the Blazer has a different treatment of the upper-most portion of the A-pillar, right where it meets the roof. Whereas the same area on the Acadia is more round, that of the Blazer is more angular. In fact, sharp angles and creases appear to be a defining design characteristic of the new Blazer, with the angularity being visible on the heavily-camouflaged front end as well as the treatment of the C/D pillars (more on that in item 6).

5. Identical Underbody Shielding

And now for a tell-tale sign that the Blazer shares the exact same short-wheelbase C1 platform of the second-gen GMC Acadia: both the Blazer prototype and the GMC Acadia have the same dark underbody shielding, shaped exactly in the same way and located exactly in the same place. That’s no coincidence, and affirms expectations that the new Blazer will be a unibody crossover rather than a body-on-frame SUV.

6. Forward-Leaning C And D Pillars

One of the primary ways that the Blazer will be differentiated from the Acadia is its styling, and the treatment of the C and D pillars confirms just that. Though we can’t see much of this part of the Blazer thanks to the camo, we can clearly make out what is a forward-leaning C and D pillars. By comparison, both elements in the Acadia are styled in a more traditional upright/vertical shape.

7. Shorter Rear Overhang

Though the Blazer seems to feature a longer front overhang than the Acadia, the story doesn’t carry over to the rear: the Blazer’s rear overhang appears to be much shorter than that of the GMC. Obvious differences in styling of the rear result in a different exhaust treatment, with the Blazer featuring more traditional dual exhaust tips while the Acadia has trapezoidally-shaped exhaust outlets integrated into the rear bumper cover.

And there you have it: the upcoming Blazer will ride on the same C1 regular wheelbase platform as the second-generation GMC Acadia, while being differentiated by unique styling that will be significantly more angular than that of the Acadia. At this point, the only question in our minds is whether the model will actually be called Blazer.

For our complete expectations on the new Blazer, see our 2019 Chevy Blazer info page. We expect to see the Blazer revealed before the end of the 2018 calendar year, and go on sale either in late 2018 or early 2019.

What an incredible waste of the Blazer nameplate on such a weak looking vehicle, at least in profile and under the cladding. That front overhang alone is so cheap looking. Even Hyundai’s design language would never allow for such a low rent design. Toyota, Mazda and Hyundai are now more up scale in design than Chevrolet. This is pathetic.

The question now is whether the Blazer sacrifices the signature 3rd row seat area of the mid size Acadia with that sharper rear roof and less rear overhang. IMO, the Blazer or whatever it’s called needs every inch of the valuable rear space Acadia has or there’s really no point to it with Equinox and Traverse out there.

Will be interesting to see whether the Blazer is saddled with the older 6-speed automatic that haunts the Acadia, or whether it will use the newer 9-speed used in the Traverse and Equinox 2.0T. Also interested in the engine options, I’m hoping for the 2.0T as the base engine instead of the Acadia’s 2.5L naturally aspirated unit, with the 3.6L V6 as an option / grade feature.

Similar to how Chrysler will never compete with the Corvette, or Cadillac, or with a mid sized Chevrolet or GMC truck, or a full size suv….or a mid size or a compact car or anything electric or hybrid, but woe GM….they have no Wrangler, guess they can use that big pile of full size SUV profits to wipe their tears away on their way to the bank…….

That overhang surely can’t be real. That looks completely ridiculous… Not only that but when driving something where the front proportions are that far off compared to the rest of the vehicle, you better have good depth perception. Our garage isn’t all that deep and no doubt my wife would be bumping into the back wall if she were parking that. Just horrible.

And ditto on the name. They already dragged the Blazer nameplate through the mud once, there’s no need to completely ruin it.

1. it was no secret this was on the Acadia platform. Even the same tires a 235/55/20 size.

2. there is good reason at this time to believe GM is not calling this a Blazer. The new Bronco appears it may have changed the thinking.

3. the nose could be camo and before you hate at least hate intelligently with a view of the real nose.

4. while based on a FWD it is also AWD this model will put the traction even to the front and rear or also have a sport setting that will do 40%/60% front to rear. With the variable suspension it drives better than the SSEI or GTP Bonneville. It also will do zero to 60 in 6 seconds. Stop in 118-122 feet from sixty. It also will see 27 highway and 20 around town.

I wager this will be a Trailblazer or something else. The Blazer will be a new yet announced model to take on the Bronco.

In the mean time this model will make the money to invest in the development of the RWD truck 4×4 model.

Do don’t soil your depends yet let’s just see what all we get before you post something that might look silly in a bit.

Like the Tribute name. Would like to see the Blazer return as something comparable to a Grand Cherokee, but would like the Blazer name on this new crossover also. Mostly hope there’s a real performance trim, not just some weak appearance package.

I just returned from the National Chevrolet dealer meeting in Las Vegas where they showed a heavily shadowed image of a future “SUV”. I can confirm both that the upper body look is very angular and that the front overhang is nowhere near as long as seen in these pics. My impression was it will be a very aggressive look. They didn’t drop a name but I suspect that it will not be Blazer, which will be reserved for a future Colorado based body-on-frame SUV for the USA. Stay tuned.